Depot Manager - Surrey

Kemp Recruitment Ltd; Waverley; On-site; GBP 50,000 - 55,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Company car or car allowance

Private healthcare

25 days' holiday

Pension contributions

Job summary

Kemp Recruitment Ltd in Cranleigh, Surrey is seeking an experienced Depot Manager to take full responsibility for the depot's commercial, operational, customer, people, asset, safety and compliance performance.

The ideal candidate will be data-driven, commercially astute, and proficient in Excel, with experience leading field-based engineering activity, fleet availability and service delivery.

Qualifications

• The role requires a commercially strong, data-led manager with proven responsibility for financial performance and service delivery.
• Experience in automotive sector or rental/equipment environment preferred.
• Excellent communicator able to lead multiple field-based teams and engage stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Take full leadership responsibility for commercial and operational performance of the depot.
• Lead and manage the depot team, including engineers, parts, administration and fleet activity.
• Plan and oversee multiple field-based engineers; ensure service delivery, invoicing and reporting.
• Monitor budgets, forecasts, margins, stock and cost control; interpret financial reports.
• Drive health and safety, compliance, governance and audit readiness.
• Recruit, develop and retain a high-performing team; manage performance and training.

Skills

Leadership

Data-driven

Excel

Customer service

Financial awareness

Team management

Communication

Tools

Excel

Job description

Job Title: Depot Manager

Location: Cranleigh, Surrey

Salary: £50,000–£55,000 + bonus

OTE: £71,500

Working Hours: Monday–Friday, 40 hours per week, 8:00am–5:00pm

Company car or car allowance

We are recruiting for an experienced Depot Manager to take full responsibility for the commercial, operational, customer, people, asset, safety, and compliance performance of the depot.

The role requires a commercially strong, data-led manager who is confident reading reports and using data to drive performance. You will oversee field-based engineering activity, fleet availability, service delivery, invoicing, compliance and operational reporting.

The ideal candidate will have automotive sector-related experience, be commercially astute, resilient, an excellent communicator and confident with Excel and operational reporting.

Key Duties & Responsibilities

• Take full leadership responsibility for the commercial and operational performance of the depot.
• Lead and manage the depot team, including engineers and as well as parts, administration, and equipment/fleet activity.
• Manage multiple field-based engineers and ensure effective planning, utilisation, productivity, and service delivery.
• Maintain full commercial awareness across budgets, forecasts, margins, WIP, stock, warranty, pricing, and cost control.
• Monitor and interpret operational and financial reports, using data to drive performance and identify areas for improvement.
• Ensure high standards of customer service and effectively manage escalations, complaints, and service delivery risks.
• Oversee fleet and equipment availability, utilisation, maintenance, compliance, and service records.
• Ensure accurate invoicing, systems, reporting, and operational data.
• Drive health and safety, compliance, governance, and audit readiness across the depot.
• Recruit, develop, motivate, and retain a high-performing team.
• Manage employee performance, attendance, sickness, appraisals, training, development, and succession planning.
• Work closely with Sales and Regional teams to support contract delivery, customer retention, and commercial growth.
• Identify and implement continuous improvement initiatives to increase efficiency, service quality, and profitability.

What you will need:

• The ideal candidate will be an experienced Depot, Branch, Operations, Service, or Regional Operations Manager with proven responsibility for financial performance, operational delivery, team leadership, customer service, compliance, and continuous improvement.
• Sector-related experience is required, ideally within a rental, equipment, plant, fleet, engineering, or service-led environment. Experience of both short-term and long-term rental would be advantageous.
• Commercially strong and financially aware.
• Hands-on in their approach to leadership, while being fully off the tools.
• Resilient and capable of operating effectively in a fast-paced operational environment.
• Data-led, with the ability to read and interpret reports and use information to drive performance.
• An excellent communicator who can engage effectively with customers, engineers, managers, and internal stakeholders.
• Confident leading multiple field-based teams.
• Highly organised with strong operational discipline.
• Excel literate and confident using Excel to analyse information and monitor performance.
• Customer-focused with strong relationship management and problem-solving skills.
• Comfortable managing operational challenges, escalations, and competing priorities.

Package

• Salary: £50,000–£55,000
• Bonus: Up to 30% of salary, dependent on branch performance
• Working Hours: Monday–Friday, 40 hours per week, 8:00am–5:00pm
• Private healthcare, 25 days’ holiday, Pension contributions, Company car or car allowance